Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has reacted to the conviction of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, urging Nigerian leaders to embrace dialogue and reconciliation rather than coercion.
In a statement titled “Kanu’s Conviction: At a Time Like This”, Obi said the development comes at a period when the country is grappling with severe economic hardship, insecurity, and poor governance. He warned that the ruling could heighten tensions rather than ease them.
“I have always maintained that Mazi Kanu should never have been arrested. His arrest, detention, and now conviction represent a failure of leadership and a misunderstanding of the issues at stake,” Obi stated.
Obi argued that the grievances raised by Kanu were not insoluble and should have been addressed through dialogue, empathy, and inclusive governance. He criticised the government’s handling of the case, likening it to “a man trapped in a hole who, instead of looking for a way out, keeps digging deeper.”
While acknowledging that some may insist the law has taken its course, Obi stressed that leadership often requires political solutions beyond strict legal processes. He pointed to examples from other nations where negotiated settlements, reforms, or amnesty have been used to preserve peace and stability.
“If we truly desire a new Nigeria – a united, peaceful, and progressive one – our leaders must choose healing over hostility, reconciliation over retaliation, and dialogue over division,” he said.
Obi called on the Presidency, the Council of State, and respected statesmen to rise to the occasion and pursue lasting solutions that foster cohesion and inclusivity. He urged Nigerians to remain optimistic for eventual peace and reconciliation.